decent
pronunciation
How to pronounce decent in British English:
UK [ˈdiːsnt]
How to pronounce decent in American English:
US [ˈdiːsnt]
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- Adjective:
- socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
- according with custom or propriety
- conforming to conventions of sexual behavior
- enough to meet a purpose
- decently clothed
- observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress
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- Adverb:
- in the right manner
Word Origin
- decent
- decent: [16] Decent comes ultimately from Latin decere ‘be fitting or suitable’, close relatives of which have produced decorate, dignity, and (from Greek) orthodox. Its present participial stem decent- was acquired by English, either directly or via French décent.=> dainty, decorate, dignity, orthodox
- decent (adj.)
- 1530s, "proper to one's station or rank," also "tasteful," from Middle French décent, or directly from Latin decentem (nominative decens) "becoming, seemly, fitting, proper," present participle of decere "to be fitting or suitable," from PIE *deke-, from root *dek- "to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable" (cognates: Greek dokein "to appear, seem, think," dekhesthai "to accept;" Sanskrit daśasyati "shows honor, is gracious," dacati "makes offerings, bestows;" Latin docere "to teach," decus "grace, ornament"). Meaning "kind, pleasant" is from 1902. Are you decent? (1949) was originally backstage theater jargon for "are you dressed."
Example
- 1. Decent valuations don 't always spell instant success .
- 2. There are some decent counter-arguments to these objections .
- 3. Japan is a decent , consensualand egalitarian country .
- 4. They should be shunned by all decent people .
- 5. But decent , affordable accommodation for new city residents is thin on the ground .